Overseeding is a pretty good way to retrieve the lush beauty of your verdant garden. However, knowing the ins and out of overseeding is vital for better grass in the patchy and uneven areas. For best germination, giving new grass sufficient time to grow and settle down is essential.
How long should you wait after overseeding the tall fescue? When to mow new grass after overseeding? Should I bag or mulch after overseeding? Acknowledging when to mow new grass after overseeding is crucial for the success of overseeding.
When to cut grass after overseeding? Never cut the new grass after overseeding for 2 to 3 weeks because sufficient time is required for the seeds to germinate and the roots to acclimate and hold the soil. Once the grass fully develops and grows 2-3 inches tall, you can mow your lawn to regain its beauty.
A well-prepared ground provides a better environment to encourage the germination of new seeds. Whereas proper and in-time watering promotes the growth of new grass. Hence, the germination period may vary depending on the type of seed, the temperature, and weather conditions. However, waiting is critical for the new delicate grass to conform before getting disturbed by cutting or mowing.
Let’s probe into the article.
When To Cut Grass After Overseeding Tall Fescue
Cool-season grass fescue grows fast under favorable conditions. But when to mow tall fescue after overseeding?
After overseeding Fescue, you are required to wait for 15 to 21 days for new seeds to sprout out. Allow the roots of new seedlings to settle down before you consider cutting the tall fescue.
While waiting for the seedlings to germinate properly, it’s very important to water your garden regularly to retain moisture. Insufficient or irregular irrigation can delay the germination of tall fescue seeds. While cutting tall fescue, mow the grass at the height of three inches.
When To Cut Grass After Overseeding UK
Once you spread the seedlings in your garden, let them grow in the ideal environment.
Provide the delicate roots of the new grass with sufficient time to adjust and spread fully in the soil.
You should hold off cutting grass for about two to four weeks after overseeding and aerating your lawn. Once the new grass reaches the height of three inches, you can mow the grass but no more than one-third of the actual height.
Timing is very important for the new grass to merge and extend into mature grass. Limit the usage of your overseeded lawn until the seedlings turn into fully grown grass.
When To Cut Grass After Overseeding Reddit
If I don’t mow for three weeks the grass will be probably two feet high. How long should I wait to cut grass after overseeding my lawn?
Mow your lawn low right before overseeding, after overseeding keep the soil moist by watering twice a day. Keep an eye on the growth of new seedlings and avoid next mowing for at least 2 to 3 weeks. You should cut the grass after overseeding when the new grass is at least 2 &1/2 inches long.
When To Cut Grass After Aeration and Overseeding
Aeration increases the richness of the soil and promotes vegetation. Aeration and overseeding are a perfect combo for the thicker and plush green grass of your lawn.
Take good care of your lawn after aeration and overseeding. Don’t mow the new grass until it adjusts and grows out well up to 4 inches. You have to wait at least 3-4 weeks before you consider cutting your grass. Once the tiny roots are established in the soil, you can go on with the mower to cut the new grass.
Restrict the lawn for any traffic as walking on your newly overseeded lawn can harm or suppress the new seeds. Leave the aeration plugs to decompose naturally as they are nutrient releasers for the grass.
When To Cut Grass After Overseeding
The rate of germination for the new grass is not fixed for all types of grass seeds. Weather conditions, seasonal changes, and rise and fall in temperature matter a lot.
Generally, you can’t cut the newly germinated grass for two to three weeks. The tiny seedlings require some time (minimum 3 weeks) to sprout out and to get intact with the soil. When new grass gets tall enough (2-3 inches) for the first mow, new grass is ready to cut for a perfect look.
Mowing too low can cause thinning of grass, as in hot weather the water evaporates quickly. Hence long grass helps to hold more water and provides shelter against the sun.
Can I Mow After Overseeding My Lawn
No, you can’t mow right after overseeding your lawn. Too early mowing can weaken the roots of seedlings and disturb their growth.
When new grass attains the height of 3 inches, you can fairly cut the grass to shape up your lawn. Be careful, don’t cut the grass more than one-third of the height.
While mowing your lawn, use the right techniques and sharpen the blades for better cutting.
Mowing too often can damage your grass and result in more patchy ground.
When To Cut Grass After Seeding
For optimum grass, prepare your lawn well before distributing the new seeds. Choose good quality seeds according to the needs of the season whether it is summer or fall.
You should not cut your new grass for 21 to 25 days until the grass extends to three inches. Hence, the seedlings are weak, so they require some time to settle and make contact with the ground. When the new grass gets matured, it is ready for the first mowing.
If you are seeding your lawn for the first time, scarify and rake the soil after distributing the seeds and use good fertilizer for fast germination. Consistent watering according to the weather condition is vital to maintain the moisture required for better grass.
How Long Should I Wait to Mow After Overseeding
After overseeding the thin and uneven areas of your lawn, be patient and give the new seedlings enough time for proper vegetation and acclimation.
Ideally, you have to wait for 3 to 4 weeks till the new grass spreads out and reaches the height of three inches. Don’t disturb the seedlings as long as they get ready for the first mowing.
Before mowing, make sure that the grass has fully grown. Don’t mow when the soil is wet as mowing can damage the grass blades. Leave the clippings behind as compost.
Should I bag or mulch after overseeding or Should you mulch or bag after overseeding?
Mulch benefits the overseeded lawn though it is not much needed. A mulch helps a lot to reduce water evaporation by providing shelter and preventing the new grass from drying out. It also promotes the germination of new seeds.
You can rake up the mulch when the new grass grows well and get ready for the first mowing.
Should I Bag My Grass Clippings After Overseeding
Should you bag grass clippings or leave them on the grass to decompose?
You should not bag your grass clippings rather leave them on the grass after distributing the seeds. Be careful, spread them evenly and in a thin layer so that the new seed can get oxygen and sunlight for germination.
But you can also bag the grass clippings, and spread them lightly on the newly germinated grass because grass clippings can serve as mulch and provide supplements and shade to the soil.
Mowing Height After Overseeding
What is the mowing height after overseeding your thin lawn?
Ideally, the mowing height depends on the type of grass seeds used for overseeding. But generally, the mowing height is at least three inches. New grass is ready for mowing when it grows to sufficient height and can endure the stress of mowing.
Don’t trim your grass too short because the loss of shade can dry out your lawn resulting in poor vegetation.
When to Mow After Overseeding Bermuda
Like other warm-season turfgrasses, spring is the ideal season to overseed Bermuda grass. However, Bermuda can fairly be grown in the cool season as well.
After overseeding Bermuda, don’t mow your lawn for about three to four weeks. New seedlings require 21 or 28 days to grow out and flourish under suitable conditions. This resting period is essential for the new grass to get adjusted to the soil.
In case of excessive growth of more than three inches, you can start mowing within three weeks after overseeding.
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
How Long After Overseeding Can I Fertilize?
You can fertilize the lawn after 4 to 6 weeks of seed germination. Always use a quick-release nitrogen base fertilizer because the new grass is in great need of nitrogen for proper growth and settlement. While fertilizing your lawn, be wary of the sun. Don’t spread it in the scorching heat of the sun because it can burn your grass.
Should You Bag the First Mowing After Overseeding?
You should not bag the first mowing, rather you should mulch grass clippings. Leave grass clippings on the new grass to add some nutrients and to retain moisture in the soil. This will also provide shade and prevent the soil from drying out and thus promoting the growth of new grass.
How Short Should I Cut the Grass Before Overseeding?
Before overseeding your lawn, cut the existing grass extra short than the normal mowing. For example, if you cut your grass at 3 inches for regular mowing then you should cut your grass at 2-1.5 inches in height, to prepare the land for overseeding. Rake up or bag the grass clippings. Mowing too low will help the new seeds to get in contact with the soil and water.
Bottom Lines
After going through this post, everything is clear about the right time for cutting new grass after overseeding. All of your efforts in restoring your plush garden will benefit from quality seeds, aeration, proper overseeding, and irrigation.
It’s quite tempting to cut the new grass right after germination but mowing can exert pressure on the new seedlings and disturb the roots as well. Hence, waiting is the key to successful overseeding. Generally, you can cut the grass once the grass grows well up to 2 to 3 inches tall.
Proper planning and acknowledging the ideal time of mowing is necessary for optimal vegetation after overseeding. Though the time of cutting for new grass may differ according to the grass type. Thus leave the new grass untouched and untrodden until it develops to reclaim the beauty of your lawn.
